Folding stages



C. MACKINTOSH FOLDING STAGES July 8, 1958 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 16. 1953 VENTOR Q g M ATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 c. MACKINTOSH FOLDING STAGES 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 16, 1953 July 8, 1958 c. MACKINTOSH 2,841,831

FOLDING STAGES Filed March 16, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 i a; a7 55/ 44" 1 $6 I 7 66 a7 64' g fiaiifiz L 1 L 1: I w 5 /d L e a a I l I L fi Ii *1 [I] fifi 77 z 7; 7 w 7% 7/ 7i INVENTOR M77MZ BY mqqzziv ATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 c. MACKINTOSH 2,841,331 7 FOLDING STAGES Filed March 16, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 mu m fig mm ATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 c. MACKINTOSH FOLDING STAGES 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 16, 1953 QQNNT v MN N VENTOR 9%@ M 7 ,MN aha-N ATTORNEYS July 8, 1958 c. MACKINTQSH FOLDING STAGES 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 16. 1955 United States Patent FOLDING STAGES Charles Mackintosh, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application March 16, 1953, Serial No. 342,503

16 Claims. (Cl. 20-1123) This invention relates to collapsible or folding platforms of the type adapted for use in providing a raised dais, rostrum, or stage in enclosures such as gymnasiums, ballrooms, school cafeterias or halls of similar character, which are generally built with level floors and not especially designed for the sort of entertainments or other occasions which would require a raised platform or stage. According to the present conception, the stages or platforms which are suggested in a variety of forms, are all foldable or collapsible for disposal in compact condition, for example against the wall, when not in use; and some of them are portable as well, whereby they may be entirely removed from the hall for storage.

The general object of the invention is the provision of novel and improved collapsible stages of the class described, which are of simple and sturdy construction, involving a minimum number of parts, and which may be installed by the purchaser without the employment of skilled labor. The stages may be folded and extended also with but little effort, even the largest sections being capable of being manipulated by two men.

One advantageous feature of the invention is the utili zation in the construction of the stages of standard parts easily obtainable in the open market. The panels or floor slabs are readily formed of full size or half size panels of plywood; the legs, braces, and other supports are of standard pipe sections; and standard transporting wheels or rollers are employed.

Another feature of novelty is the flexibility of installation and use of the stages. The collapsible or foldable sections may be installed in multiple widths and one or more widths used at a time, and if a stage or dais of less depth than usual is required, the sections may be extended or unfolded only part way as desired.

Provision is made for solidly supporting the hinged edges of the panels or fioor slabs of the stage continuously along their entire length without undue strain on the hinges, so that the top surfaces of the panels are flush and so that the edges settle down on their supports when the unit is unfolded without frictional rubbing on said supports.

Other objects and features of novelty, including the provision of various springing and bracing means; depressible wheel supports; travelling supporting dollies; and latching, enclosing, and locking expedients, will be apparent from the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which several embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example.

- In the drawings:

Figure l is a diagrammatic view in perspective of a two-section stage embodying the principles of the inven tion, the stage being in opened position ready for use;

Figure 1A is a similar view of the same stage in collapsed or folded condition;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view in perspective showing the forward corner of a stage, in opened position, having folding steps at its front edge;

"ice

Figure 2A is a similar view of the stage in folded position;

Figure 3 is a view in side elevation in somewhat diagrammatic form of a stage similar to the one shown in Figures 1 and 1A but on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is an end view of the stage of Figure 3 in folded condition;

Figure 5' is a fragmentary detail view in elevation of one of the lowermost leg frames for supporting the stage of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a similar view of the wheeled leg frame which is the central one in the arrangement shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a similar view of the second leg frame from the right in Figure 3;

Figure 8 is a corresponding view of the front or facing frame of the stage;

Figures 9, l0, l1 and 12 are fragmentary vertical sectional views through the hinge joints whereby the panels are pivotally connected to the end supporting frames and to each other, the joints at which the sectional views are taken being indicated at the lines 9-9, 10-10, 11-11, and 1212 in Figure 3;

Figures 9A, 10A, 11A and 12A are similar fragmentary sectional views taken at the same junction lines but at points between the positions of the hinges;

Figures 13 and 13A are sectional views respectively similar to those shown in Figures 11 and HA but providing for a carpeted stage;

Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 are fragmentary views in elevation of the pivot joints between the respective leg frames and the horizontal brace bars shown in Figure 3;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary view of one type of handle bar employed at the ends of certain of the leg frames for manipulating the stage during the folding and unfolding operations;

Figure 19 is a transverse sectional view as if taken on line 1919 of Figure 18 but showing the bar slidably received within the upper tubular member of one of the leg frames;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through a portion of a panel near one edge and showing another form of manipulating handle;

Figure 21 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 2121 of Figure 20;

Figure 22, returning to the first sheet of drawings, is a view in end elevation of a hinged cover for the folded stage, showing in diagrammatic form means for locking the cover to the front panel of the stage;

Figure 23 is a similar view showing, in addition to the cover board, a latch for securing the stacked panels in vertical positions;

Figure 24 is a detail view in elevation of a spring latch for securing two spaced panels in collapsed or folded positions;

Figure 25 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2525 of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a view in side elevation similar to Figure 3, but showing a different embodiment of the invention, in which slidable guide braces are provided for maintaining the legs vertical and in which the stage is completely transportable;

Figure 27 is a View similar to Figure 26 showing still another embodiment of the invention in which a differen form of guide brace is used; 1

Figure 28 is a view in side elevation of still another embodiment of the invention in which successive sections of the stage are at a different level to provide a stepped or tiered stage for use as a choral platform or band stand, and a novel wheeled dolly is provided for transporting the folded stage;

Figure 29 is a view in end elevation of the stage of Figure 28 in folded position and jacked up upon the larger or transport wheels of the dolly and leg frames;

Figure 30 is a rear view of the stage of Figure 28;

Figure 31 is a view in side elevation of the dolly used for transporting the stage; and

Figure 32 is a plan view of the dolly.

Referring now to the rather generalized and diagrammatic views of Figures 1 and 1A, it will be seen that the collective reference characters and 11 are applied respectively to the two sections or units of the folding stage illustrated. Each of the sections comprises a plurality of panels or floor sections 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20,

although of course the invention is not limited to any,

specific number of panels since stages of greater or less depth may be desired. Forwardly of the front floor panel 26 there is a depending facing panel or apron 22 provided in each section, this apron panel preferably being of the full height of the stage and resting upon the floor so as to provide in effect the front supporting leg frame of the installation. Other supporting leg frames are provided preferably at each joint between the floor sections 2-0 inclusive. The rearmost supporting leg section is preferably disposed against the wall of the auditorium in which the stage is used, or when the stage assumes one of its portable embodiments, such support becomes the principal rear supporting means for the stage. This rearmost element is indicated at 25 in the drawings and is shown somewhat foreshortcned since generally it is preferable to have the supporting legs of somewhat narrower width than the panels of the platform itself. Successive supporting legs from rear to front are indicated at 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30.

As will be more fully described in detail, there is provided against the wall from which the stage projects, or in connection with an upwardly projecting element on a portable stage, a hinged cover board indicated diagrammatically at 32, this board being shown in depending position when the stage is extended as in Figure l, and in horizontal position in Figure 1A where the stage is folded and the cover board 32 and front apron panels 22 combine to provide a neat enclosure for the collapsed stage.

In Figures 2 and 2A of the drawings a slight modification is shown wherein panels corresponding to the forward panels of Figure l are indicated at 1% and 20a and the facing or apron panel is indicated at 22a. Col apsible steps are provided at the forward edge of the stage in association with the panel or forward leg support board 22a and these steps comprise the boards 35 and 36 and the risers 37 and 38, all being hinged together and capable of folding to the compact condition indicated in Figure 2A of the drawings. In this position, as in Figure 1A, the front floor panel 20A and the apron 22A come into vertical alignment, the top step board 35 folds against the face of these two panels, the riser 37 assumes the topmost position of the folded aligned stair elements including this riser, the step 36, and the lower riser 38.

Proceeding now to a more detailed disclosure of the stage, reference will first be made to Figures 3-17 of the drawings. Although the stage shown in Figures 3 and 4 comprises only four floor sections or panels it will be clearly understood that this short platform is for exernplary purposes only and stages embodying these same principles may be made of any depth, with six panels as shown in Figure l or more according to the need. in Figures 3 and 4 the stage is shown as attached to the wall 44) of the room and resting upon the floor 41, although within the broad purview of the invention the stage may be made completely portable and a movable element substituted for the support afforded by the wall 40, as suggested at a later point in the present specification. The successive panels or floor boards in the embodiment shown in Figure 3 are designated K, L, M and N and they are supported at their several hinged edges by the leg frames A, B, C, D and E. In the particular embodiment here disclosed, these leg frames are preferably of skeleton r folding form made up of bars or pipe sections preferably of standard stock, and take the general forms shown in Figures 58 inclusive. For instance, the supporting leg frames A and B are of very similar construction and are represented in elevation by the showing in Figure 5 of the drawings. The wheeled leg frame C is shown somewhat diagrammatically in Figure 6; the frame D, which also is provided with a small supporting wheel or roller, is suggested in Figure 7; and the front frame which serves to support the forward edge of the stage and also to provide a front facing or apron therefor is shown in Figure 8 as a solid panel.

For the purpose of bracing the leg frames and also for maintaining them in vertical position throughout the and unfolding movements, there are provided bracing tie rods 45, 56, 47 and 46, at least at one end of each of the leg frames and preferably at both ends thereof.

Before describing the hinging and bracing connections it will be well to briefly advert to the structure of the leg frames with particular reference to Figures 58 of the drawings. The frames A and B, as indicated in Figure 5, comprise the top rail 5% which may be of any suitable cross-sectional configuration, but which is preferably for the purpose of economy and simplicity of a cylindrical or tubular circular section made of standard pipe lengths. Welded or otherwise suitably secured to the top of the rail Ell are flat metal strips or ledges which extend along the rail between hinge-points as suggested at 51. The purpose and function of these strips will be described presently. A floor rail 53 forms a part of the leg frames A and B and this rail is connected with the top rail 50 at intervals by the vertical struts 54 and the diagonal brace pieces 55, all of these struts and braces preferably being welded to the parts which they connect. At the terminal struts 54, a suitable distance above the floor, there are provided pins 56 to which the links and 46 are pivotally connected.

The leg frame C is shown in Figure 6 in somewhat diagrammatic form and in this case the top rail is similarly provided with flat ledge strips 51 at intervals along its upper surface between the hinge points. Inclined braces 57 serve to connect the top rail 50 with the cross bar or rail 58 which is provided with a pin 59 at at least one or" its ends for connection of the bracing links 46 and 47. Beneath the apex of each of the pairs of downwardly converging braces 57-there is provided a roller bracket 60 having a base plate 61 fixed, preferably by welding, to the lower framing bar 58 and carrying an axle 62 upon which the wheel or roller 63 is mounted.

The intermediate frame D is shown in Figure 7 of the drawings and it, too, is provided with a top rail 50 to which is secured ledge forming strips 5i. at intervals between the hinges by which it is connected to the floor panels of the stage. A bottom rail 65 is connected in spaced relation with the top rail Stl by means of the vertical struts 66 and the inclined brace elements 67. Projecting pins 64 are carried by the end struts 66 for connection of the links 47 and 48. At intervals along the bottom rail 65. preferably at the lower ends of the vertical struts 66, there are disposed wheel supporting brackets 63 carrying axles 69 for the wheels 70. The wheels 70 on this supporting frame are preferably of smaller size than the wheels 63 since these wheels are adapted to move upwardly and be nested between the folded panels of the stage, while the wheels 63 of the intermediate frame C remain in contact with the floor and in supporting relationship with the stage at all times whether the stage is in folded or opened condition.

The end supporting frame E is shown in somewhat diagrammatic form in Figure 8 of the drawings and comprises a solid panel 61 which is preferably made of plywood, although it can be made of any other suitable material. T he upper edge of the panel 61 carries angle bars 62 which serve to support the front margins of the forward floor panel 2%} as will be described. Gaps 63 are provided between these angle sections for the accommodation of hinging means.

Upon the rear face of ti? frame panel 61 at intervals across it are secured the bracket plates 72 which are provided with horizontally extending leaf spring extensions 73 from which depend the roller supporting brackets 74 carrying the rollers 75 on the axles 76. The resilience of the leaf spring bracket 73 is so selected that under dead load the lower edge 77 of the frame B will touch the floor. By this provision, when the stage is unloaded, the supporting wheels 75 will be ready to carry the forward edge of the stage toward collapsed or folded position without any scraping of the frame E on the floor of the auditorium.

The pivotal connection of the stage panels K, L, M and N with the supporting frames and with relation to each other during folding and unfolding movement will now be described, with particular attention to Figures 9l2A of the drawings as well as the basic Figures 3 and 4. The various hinge joints have been given the general reference designations S1, S2, S3 and S4, and these hinge joints are shown in considerable detail in Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively of the drawings, these joints being also clearly recognizable in Figure 3.

Referring now most particularly to Figure 9 of the drawings, the pertinent elements of the frame A will be recognized, the top rail at 50 and one of the vertical struts at 54. The hinging installation S1 includes the hinge plate 80 welded as at 81 to the pipe rail 50 and pivotally connected as by the pintle 82 to the hinge leaf 83 which is angularly bent to provide a long extension 84 which is secured to the underside of the edge of the first floor panel K as by means of the screws 85. It will be remembered that the edge of the panel K is notched out to receive the hinge elements 3t)84 at intervals along the framesA and B as indicated at 87 in Figures 5 and 9A. In Figure 9A there is shown a cross-section taken at a point other than the point at which the hinges occur and here it will be seen how the ledge plate 51 is welded to the upper surface of the pipe rail 50 to furnish a solid support for the hinge of the panel K when the panel is in open position. The position of the panel K when the stage is closed is indicated by broken lines in Figure 9A, the panel having been swung about the aligned hinge pintles 82 until the panel K rests against the wall as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings.

The intermediate joints between the leg frame B and the panels K and L and between the leg frame D and the panels M and N are designated by the general reference character S2 and are shown in detail in Figures and 10A of the drawings. The leg frames B and D are suggested by the showing of the vertical strut 54 or 66 together with the top rail 50, and the actual hinging at intervals across the stage is shown in Figure 10 where the hinge plates or leaves 9t are welded to either side of the rail 50 as at 91 so that they occupy substantially vertical positions. Other hinge leaves 92 are associated with the leaves 90 by means of the pintles 93 and the leaves 92 are secured to the undersurfaces of the edges of the respective stage floor panels K, M and L, N by means of the screws 94. The depending hinge leaves 90 may be cut away or notched as at 95 to accommodate the projecting ends of the screws 94 when the panels are folded together. It will be noted that in accordance with the provision of the hinge arrangement S2 the edges of the respective panels may abut solidly without leaving a crack between the adjoining panels. Furthermore, the supporting ledge strips'51 may, if desired, be extended all the way across the frame as shown at 51 in Figure 10 without interruption at the hinge points since the clearance between the hinges upon either side of the rail 50 is sufficient to accommodate the ledge. Thus the panel edges come to rest upon the ledge 51 when the stage is extended. The panels occupy the broken line position shown in Figure 10A when they are folded together as in Figure 4.

The hinging of the central panels L and M at the point S3 is clearly disclosed in Figures 11 and 11A of the drawings. Here the, frame C is represented by the inclined strut 57 and the top rail 50. At intervals along the panels hinges are provided which comprise the hinged leaves arranged in back to back relation and welded as at 101 to the upper portion of the pipe rail 50. The other hinge leaves 102 are angularly formed, are secured to the undersides of the edges of the panels L and M by means of the screws 103, and are pivotally connected with the other leaves by means of the pintles 105. Between the hinge points the sectional appearance of the joint S3 appears as shown in Figure 11A of the drawings in which the supporting ledge 51 is welded to the upper portion of the rail 50 and serves to support the edges of the panels L and M. However, due to the necessity of the hinging arrangement, the panels L and M are spaced apart very slightly as indicated at 107, but this spacing will not ordinarily be greater than one-half of the width of one of the hinge members in its closed position shown in Figure 11. The gap 1%7, it is believed, need not be any greater than a quarter of an inch in most cases, and it may be smaller under certain circumstances.

The forward hinging installation S4 between the panel N and the apron frame E of the stage is shown in Figures 12 and 12A of the drawings, the actual hinging being illustrated in Figure 12 and a section between the hinges being set forth in Figure 12A. Throughout the width of' the rear face of the upper edge of the frame B there is secured a metal strip or plate as by means of the screws 111, and between the hinge points angle pieces 62 are secured as by means of the weld 112. Thus at the front edge of the stage the angle iron 62 supports the forward edge of the panel N and in folded position the panel N occupies the broken line position shown in Figure 12A in vertical alignment with the frame B.

At the actual hinge points, the partial hinge member 114 is welded as at 115 to the edge of the angle piece 62 and this hinge element 114 receives the pintle 116 as does the opposite leaf 117 of the hinge which is bent as at 118 to be secured to the underside of the panel N as by means of the screws 119.

At this point, it may be well to describe an alternative arrangement for the central hinge joint S3 for use when the stage is to be carpeted. This alternative arrangement is designated 83a in Figures 13 and 13A of the drawings. The panels L and M are connected by hinges, the plates 10th: of which are spaced apart instead of being arranged in back to back relation as in Figure 11, the bracing of the panels being effected by the. welding of a narrow plate or bar 120 between the plates 100a. This makes the spacing between the panels at the hinges somewhat wider, but at any rate the additional space between the inner faces of the leaves Nita need not be any greater than twice the thickness e of the carpet.

The modified arrangement as it occurs between the hinge points is shown in Figure 13A of the drawings.

The pivotal connections between the frames AE inclusive and the bracing and guiding linkages 45 48 inclusive will now be described, with particular reference to Figures 14, 15, 16 and 172s well as the general view in Figure 3. The projecting pins 56, 59 and. 64 carried by the elements 54, 66 and 53 of the respective frames A, B-D, and C have already been described in connection with Figures 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. The link bar 45 has welded to its respective ends the connecting plate and 126, the plate 125 is pierced with an opening to snugly receive the pin 56 carried by the frame A, and the outer end of the pin is threaded to receive a pair of looking nuts 127 which serve to retain the plate 125 upon the pin 156 for pivotal swinging movement about the pin as an axis, when the frame is folded. Similarly the plate 126 is provided with an opening to receive the pin 59 and a similar lock nut arrangement 127 is applied thereto. However, the link 46 carries a terminal plate 128 which also has an opening through which the pin 59 extends, and the lock nuts serve to retain both of these plates in pivotally applied position. Of course, since the frames B and D are of similar construction the right-hand end plates 126 of the links 45 and 47 are identical and the left-hand end plates 123 of the links 46 and 48 are of the same construction and arrangement. The right-hand end of the link 46 is provided with a plate 130 and the left-hand end of the link 47 is provided with a plate 131, both of these plates having openings to receive the pin 64 to which lock nuts 127 are provided as in the other cases.

For pivotally connecting the right-hand end of the link 48 with the paneled leg supporting frame E the following provision is made. An opening 133 is provided in the panel 61 which comprises the greater portion of the frame E and across this opening is bolted a metal plate 135.

The leaf 136 of a hinge arrangement designated generally by the reference character S8 is welded as at 137 to the inner face of the plate 135. A mating hinge plate or leaf 138 is welded to the end of the link 48 as at 139 and the hinge elements are connected by means of the pintle 114i).

it will be noted that whereas the panels K, L, M and N are pivoted at two spaced points on the frame B, C and D the link connections 45, 46, 47 and 48 are pivoted to the same pins on these frames. Therefore, these links are slightly inclined at such positions, the point of pivotal connection being at predetermined distances above or below a common level so as to permit all of the hinged elements to come to proper nested position when they are closed as in Figure 4 without jamming or buckling. This line of reference level is shown in its relation to the pivotal axes of the brace links at X in Figures 14, 15, 16 and 17 of the drawings and the pintles are disposed with relation to this line as indicated, for the purpose described. The distance between the openings in the ends of the linkages 45, E6, 47 and 48 is approximately equal to the centerto-center distances between the stage supporting frames when the stage is open, and the pins 56, 59, 64 and 144) by which these bars or links are pivotally connected to the frames must be disposed upwardly or downwardly on the particular leg frames at the points established by the frame when closed.

It will be understood that in collapsing the stage from the open position shown in Figure 3 to the folded condition shown in Figure 4, the leg supporting frame B is lifted from the ground surface 41 so that the adjoining edges of the adjacent panels K and L arch upwardly, or in effect swing downwardly relatively to the hinge joint 32 as the latter rises and at the same time moves toward the left in approaching the wall 46. At the same time the outward portions of the stage also move toward the wall 4t) upon the supporting rollers or wheels 63, 70 and 75. Either simultaneously with the folding of the joint S2 at the top of the frame B, or following such folding movement, the leg frame D is also lifted so as to cause a peak to be formed at the junction of the edges of the panels M and N above hinge S2 just as in the case of the other one. Naturally, the panel K swings in counterclockwise direction around the hinge S1 at the top of the stationary frame A, and the right-hand edge of the panel N swings in a clockwise direction relatively to the hinge installation S4 at the top of the apron frame E. Also, the adjacent edges of the adjoining panels L and M swing upwardly relatively to the hinge point S3 at the top of the central frame C until all of the panels are folded together as clearly shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, whereupon the panels and leg frames occupy the following order reading from left to right at the upper portion of the stowed stage: K, B, L, M, D, N; and the supporting frames which remain in contact with the ground or floor 41 occupy the following order in the same direction: A, C, E.

In order to counterbalance the weight of the panels and to assist in urging the panels toward folded position against the action of gravity, springs are employed adjacent the frames 13 and D, the upper ends of these springs are connected to the lower surfaces of the re spective panels as by means of the hooks or eyes 146, and the lower ends of the springs are secured to the lower portions of the frames B and D as by means of the pins or bolts shown in Figures 5 and 7 of the drawings. These bolts extend in opposite directions from one of the central or intermediate vertical struts 54, 66 and are provided with heads or nuts suggested at 149 for retaining the ends of the springs 145 in place.

In order to assist the manual folding of the stage, handle members are provided as suggested in Figures 18 and 19 of the drawings. These handles comprise the bars or lengths of pipe 156) which may have a disc or washer welded to its outer end as at 151, the handle 150 is provided toward its inner portion with lateral slots 152, and the whole handle bar or tube is adapted to be slid snugly into the open end of the upper tubular rails 50 of the frames B and D as clearly shown in Figure 19 of the drawings. Pins or rivets 15 are provided on the inner wall of the rail 5t and are adapted to enter the slot 152 to limit the outward movement of the handle 1:70. In order to make use of the handle bar 15ft the disc 151 is grasped and the bar 15d slid outwardly of the rail 50 and used to lift the frames B and D.

in order to manipulate the inward portions of stage sections, as along the center line Y of the multi-sectional stage shown in Figure 1, another form of lifting handle is provided, adjacent the frames B, D. Welded to the upper ledge plate 51 of the rail 5t? of the frames are the eyes 156, and pivotally attached to these eyes are the hooked lower ends 157 of the inverted U-shaped handle grip elements 153. An opening 169 is cut in the wooden floor panels adjacent the points shown in order to receive and accommodate the grip members 152% so that they may lie flush with the surface of the floor when not in use.

The enclosure provisions for the folded stage will now be described with particular attention given to Figures 22 and 23 of the drawings as well as the basic Figures 3 and 4. At an appropriate distance above the pivot point S1 adjacent the wall 4i) there is hingedly mounted the cover plate 32. At a point just above where the upper edge of the panel K rests when the stage is in folded position, an angle strip is bolted to the wall 40, and to' the horizontal flange of this angle bar there are welded at intervals the leaves 166 of the hinges, the aligned pintles of which are shown at 167 and the bent opposite leaves 168 of the hinges are screwed to thelower face of the lid member 32 as at 169. The width of the elongated lid or cover board 32 is substantially the same as the thickness of the folded stage as clearly shown in Figure 22 of the drawings and the outer edge of the cover 32 is su stantially flush with the vertical surface of the outer panel end. A block or series of blocks designated 170 is secured by means of the screw 171 to the underside of the lid or cover 32 to fit snugly between the edges of the panels M and N between hinge points and within the confines of the cover 32 and in the block 170 there is disposed a lock indicated purely diagrammatically at 172 and which may be of any suitable construction but is preferably of the nature of a drawer lock having a bolt 175 adapted to be shot into an opening 176 provided in the inner or underside of the edge of the panel N. In this way when the lid 32. is closed above the folded stage as shown in solid lines in Figure 22, the arrangement is locked in position against unauthorized opening of the stage.

In conjunction with the cover provision just described, a latching or keeper installation is afforded in order to temporarily hold the collapsed panels to prevent accidental sudden dropping of the arrangement to opened position. This is shown in Figure 23 of the drawings. A

hinge leaf 1% is secured as by welding to the vertical flange of the angle iron 165 and two latch elements are pivoted to the supported pinte 181. The first latch element comprises an angular strap or plate 182, which includes a vertical shoulder forming portion 183 and an inclined cam portion A second rather elongated keeper element 1.8.5 is also pivoted to the pintle 181 and is provided with a retaining shoulder 186 and an inclined camming portion 137. The respective latch or keeper devices 182 and 135 are retained in substantially the position shown in Figure 23 when the lid 32 is raised and the panels are in their lower closed position, by means of the retaining device which includes the supporting link element 183 pivoted at 189 to the end of the latch 132, the link 138 being U-shaped or in the form of a loop in order to also pass under and support the latch member 185. The upper or bight end 1% of the link 188 passes into the slot 131 formed by the strap 192 which has its ends secured to the undersurface of the lid 32.

The operation and functioning of these latching elements will be readily understood. When they occupy the positions shown in Figure 23 and the panels are successively brought to their upward positions, the first panel K moves against the inclined cam surface 184 and displaces the latch 1.32 upwardly until the retaining shoulder falls in front of the panel K and serves to hold it in position. Similarly the movement of the panels L and M to completely folded position will displace the cam surface 137 until the latch shoulder portion 186 falls in front of the panel M and serves to hold it in proper position.

Additional latching means which may be used in lieu of or supplementing the latches shown in Figure 23, are illustrated in Figures 24- and 25 of the drawings. In these figures the panels shown may be any two which are spaced apart by the interposition of leg frames, as for example, panels K and L or M and N. Mating latch plates 2i?!) and 201 are provided with flanges 232 and 203 which are secured respectively, as by means of the bolts 204, to the mutually facing surfaces of the respective spaced panels inwardly of their marginal edges. The plates 200 and 201 are disposed in parallel planes very close to each other, and preferably the outer lips 236 of the plates are slightly curved to provide for smooth sliding contact of the plates as they come together when the panels are folded. One of the plates has an inclined tongue or tooth 21d struck from it, and the other plate has an opening therein into which the tooth 210 is adapted to spring. The end surface of the tooth snaps past the outer margin of the opening into locking position as shown in Figure 25. To unlock these securing latches, the operator will pull on the curved edge 23-6 of the near plate 200 and at the same time push on the plate 201 in order to disengage the teeth 23%.

In Figure 26 of the drawings there is illustrated a modification of the invention in which the stage is completely portable so that it may be moved to different parts of an auditorium or entirely removed from the place for storage purposes. In this arrangement the basic parts already described will be given the same reference characters as in the embodiment first described and illustrated in Figure 3. Instead of the wall of the building providing the basic attachment or support for the stage, a panel or frame 225 is provided to which the first leg frame A may be su1tably secured. At the top of the panel 225 there is hinged a cover 226 which is of the same nature and performs the same function as the cover 32 in the earlier described embodiments.

i. For purposes of lifting the leg frames A and E and the base frame 225 from the floor for movement of the stage in either folded or unfolded position the vertically adjustable wheel frames 230 are provided, two or more preferably being secured to the outer faces of the frames 225 and E. The basic element of the wheel. frames 230 comprise plates which are pivoted at 231 to the respective panels and forked wheel brackets 232 depend from these plates to straddle the wheels 233 supporting the axles 234. An angle bracket 235 is secured to the frame 225 above the wheel mount 23d and a similar supporting bracket 236 is secured to the frame E. Each of the plates 230 IS slotted as at 237 for the passage of an adjusting belt 233 which also passes through an opening in the horizontal portion 239 of the brackets 235 and 236. The lower ends of the bolts 238 are provided with heads and also if desired with'washers of a larger size than the elongated slot 237. The upper ends of the bolts 238 may be provided with heads 240 for rotating them, and a lock nut 241 serves to for the threaded bolt in adjusted position relative to the brackets 235 and 236. By this means, when the lock nuts 241 are loosened, the bolts may be rotated in the threaded openings in the parts 239 to raise and lower the hinged wheel supporting plates 230 and thus adjust the vertical height of the ground wheels 233. In Figure 26 the wheels are shown in lowered position whereupon the frames E and 225 are lifted from the floor and the support of the device is taken over by the ground wheels 233.

A variation in the vertical guiding means for the rising leg frames B and D is also shown in Figure 26 of the drawings. Sleeves 245 are slidably mounted on certain of the vertical elements 54 and 66 of the respective leg frames and links 247 are pivotally connected at their opposite ends respectively to the sleeve 245 and to the pivot points 248 on the underside of the panels. In this way, the substantially vertical position of frames B and D under all conditions is assured.

In Figure 27 of the drawings there is illustrated a modified form of the invention in which the basic parts are given the same reference characters as in the earlier embodiment and in which the balancing springs may be employed if desired. The chief distinction of Figure 27 from the earlier described embodiments, however, lies in the means for ensuring keeping the leg frames vertical. These comprise the struts or links 250, the left hand ends of which are respectively pivoted as at 251 to the frames A and C, and the right-hand ends being pivoted at 252 at points beneath the panels L and N. The proportioning of the arms and the distances between the points of connection are such that the width of the panel K plus the distance of the point 251 below the hinge S1 is equal to the length of the strut 250 plus the distance of the pivot 252 from the hinge point S2 between the panels K and L. The purpose of this will be clearly understood from the inspection of the dotted line folded position of the several parts shown in Figure 27. The arrangement involving the panels M and N and the leg frame C is exactly the same as the one just described.

In Figures 28-32 of the drawings there is shown a moditiction of the invention which involves a stepped or tiered stage which is completely portable. The four panels of this tiered stage are arranged in pairs each at a different level, and the two highest ones at the left of Figure 28 are given the reference characters 315 and 316. The similarly formed inner pairs are all given the numerals 317 and 318, and of course, they are of substantially the same construction. The pair which is next to the last ones toward the right in Figure 28 is designated 319 and 320 and the terminal ones are indicated at 321, 322. The leg frames are designated as follows: The highest frame at the far left of the installation as shown in Figure 28 is given the numeral 325, the next frame intermediate the pair of panels 315 and 36 is shown at 326', and the third frame at 327. Frames of similar construction are given the same reference numerals in the next succeeding pairs. The frame which supports the central hinge joint between the panels 319 and 320 is of simple unbraced construction and is designated 328. A similar frame 329 is disposed at the joint between the panels 321 and 322 and the final sheathing or apron frame, which may be solid, is shown at 330.

The frames 326, 328 and 329 which rise during folding movement of the stage are provided with bracing arrangements which are given the same designations as the similar parts in the embodiment shown in Figure 26, namely the numerals 245 and 247. These intermediate rising frames are all provided at their feet with small rollers 332 which are nested between the folded panels as clearly shown in Figure 29 when the stage is folded. Larger rollers 333 are provided at the feet of the leg frames 327 and these rollers are in contact with the ground during the folding and unfolding movement of the panels. A terminal roller or wheel 334 is provided to support the front apron frame 330. Folding linkages indicated at 335 are of similar construction and perform functions similar to those of the links 45-48 inclusive in the earlier described embodiments.

Each succeeding lower pair of panels has its inward panel 317, 319 or 321 pivotally connected as at 340 to one of the leg frames 327 at a point spaced downwardly from the upper end thereof.

The roller 334 is preferably spring mounted so that when a live load is applied to the first tier of the stage, the leg frame 333 will descend and bear upon the ground surface. Also, in the case of the intermediate rollers 332 and 333 rigid pedestals may be provided at the bottoms of the leg frames and these rollers may also be spring mounted so as to let the pedestals down upon the ground surface when a live load is applied.

The rearmost leg frame 325 is shown very clearly in elevation in Figure 30 f the drawings and comprises the vertical posts 350 and the diagonal brace bars 351 and the lowercross bar 352 which connects the posts 354) at points above their lower ends. The central post 354) and the end posts of the same designation are provided with ground wheels of a fairly large size which are indicated at 355 and the wheel brackets 356 are vertically adjustably connected with the lower ends of the posts 3549 as by means of the screw jacks 358. The lower ends of the two intermediate posts 350 are provided with pedestal feet 360 which under normal usage contact the ground, but which are raised above the ground for transportation purposes when the screw jacks 358 are adjusted to lower the ground wheels 355.

Novel means are provided for transporting the stage according to this embodiment and for this purpose there extends forwardly from the foot of the posts 358 a dolly frame comprising the diverging bars 365, these bars having near their free ends the pedestals 366. The ends of the bars 365 extend in parallel relation as shown in Figure 32, the bars being pressed apart by means of the spreader element 367. The open ends of the two tubular bars 365 are adapted to receive a swivel wheel mounting unit designated generally by the reference numeral 37d. This unit has stems 371 which enter the open ends of the tubular elements 365 and the unit 370 pivotally carries the castering shanks 372 of the wheels 373.

In operation, when the stage shown in Figure 28 is folded together, the lower ends of the leg frames rest upon the dollies which extend from the post 350 with the intermediate and end wheels 332, 333 and 334 raised from the ground. The Wheels 355 are lowered, thus lift ing the feet or pedestals 36d and 366 of the dolly frame off of the ground and t'hecastering swivel unit 373 is applied to the front end of the dolly and these wheels 373 cooperate with the wheels 355 to provide a five-wheeled transport support for .the stage in carrying it from place to place. 7

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A folding stage for auditoriums and the like, which comprises a series of vertical supporting frames spaced apart horizontally and adapted to rest upon the ground collapsed and whereby surface when the stage is extended for use, a series of normally horizontal flush floor panels, means pivotally connecting the remote edge of each of the end panels of said series to the upper edge of a supporting frame, means pivotally connecting pairs of adjoining edges of adjacent panels to the upper edge of a common supporting frame, the remote edges of said end panels and alternate pairs of adjoining edges being adapted during folding to pivot upwardly with respect to the upper edges of the alternate frames associated therewith, while the upper edges remain substantially in a common horizontal plane, the remaining intervening pairs of adjoining edges being adapted during folding to pivot downwardly with respect to the upper edges of the intervening frames associated therewith, while the intervening frames move bodily upwards, whereby said stage floor panels may be folded together in zigzag fashion to a collapsed nested storage condition and alternate frames caused to approach each other while the remaining intervening frames rise to occupy positions between the nested panels, wheel mountings for certain of said first named frames, at least one of said remote end supporting frames comprising a panel providing a substantially vertical apron for said stage, which apron panel in collapsed position is vertically aligned with the next adjacent floor panel to which it is pivotally secured, said means for connecting pairs of adjoining panel edges toa common frame being constituted by hinges having leaves secured to the panel edges and frames, respectively, and pintles disposed parellel to the panel edges, the hinges associated with the downwardly swinging panel edges having t eir pintles at approximately the level of the top edges of said frames and the hinges associated with the upwardly swinging panel edges having angular leaves secured to the under-surface of said panels adjacent said edges and projecting upwardly between said edges, other leaves connected to the top of said frames and projecting upwardly between said panel edges, and pintles joining said leaves together, said pintles being disposed just below the upper surface of the panels, and said panels having recesses in said downwardly swinging edges to accommodate said leaves and said pintles.

2. The device set forth in claim 1 in which each intervening frame carries two sets of hinges, one for connecting each of the adjoining panels thereto, the two sets of hinges being spaced slightly apart in the direction of extension of thestage.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the lower ends of at least those leg frames which are spaced from the relatively stationary end of the stage, are provided with wheeled supports, the wheeled support of the apron panel frame being spring mounted, whereby it may yield under a load on the stage so that the lower edge of the apron panel frame may rest solidly upon the ground surface.

4. The device as set forth in claim supports are provided at the lower edges of all of the supporting leg frames, whereby said frames may run smoothly upon the ground surface when the stage is being the entire stage may be readily transported either in collapsed or opened positions, and means for positively lowering the wheeled supports for the extreme opposite end frames to become the sole supporting means for the stage in collapsed condition as for transport, the lowering of said end supports causing the intermediate supporting frames and their wheeled supports to correspondingly rise from the ground level.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which a structure rigid with the end supporting leg frame oppposite to said apron frame extends upwardly from the normal height of the opened stage, and there is provided a cover panel pivoted to said structure and adapted when the stage is folded to extend outwardly from said structure at least to the outermost extent of the collapsed and stowed floor panels, and to form with the apron panel and the 1 in which wheeled outermost floor panel a complete and substantially uninterrupted exposed paneled surface of smooth and presentable appearance.

6. The device as set forth in claim in which at the meeting edges of the cover panel and the outermost floor panel in stage-folded position, there is provided upon one of the last named adjacent panels a locking bolt and upon the other a cooperating keeper means, whereby the folded stage may be secured in position against unauthorized tampering.

7. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which upon the undersides of the adjacent edge portions of a pair of panels which swing downwardly relative to their hinge pintles, there are provided mutually engaging, manually releasable, snap latch elements for securing the floor panels in their raised and folded positions.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the supporting leg frames which rise between adjoining floor panels which swing downwardly relative to their hinge pintles are provided with vertically sliding sleeve elements, and a pair of links are provided one end of each of said links being pivoted to said sleeve element, and the opposite ends of said links pivotally connected with the undersides of the respective adjoining floor panels at points spaced from the pintle axis of the said hinge pintle, whereby said supporting leg frames are maintained in substantially vertical position at all times.

9. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the supporting leg frames which rise between adjoining floor panels which swing downwardly relative to their hinge pintles are connected with points on the adjoining panels spaced from the hinge pintle, by means of resilient extensible tension spring members, for counterbalancing the Weight of the rising floor panels and assisting in the collapsing of the stage,

10. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which a rigid link brace element extends from a point below the upper end of one of the supporting leg frames which do not rise, to a point on the floor panel next beyond the next adjacentrising leg frame, said brace element being pivotally connected at said points, and the points being so selected that the width of the floor panel adjacent the non-rising leg plus the distance of the pivot point of the brace connection from the top of the non-rising leg frame is substantially equal to the length of the brace element itself plus the distance of the second point of pivotal connection thereof with the second named panel from the hinge pintle between the two panels.

11. The device according to claim 1 in which the upper edge portions of the supporting leg frames which are located adjacent the edges of the floor panels which swing downwardly relative to their pintles, and which rise during collapsing movement of the stage, are provided with horizontal sockets, and retractible and extensible handle bars are disposed in said sockets for manual lifting of the panels at such points.

12. The device according to claim 1 in which the upper edge portions of the supporting leg frames which are located adjacent the edges of the floor panels which swing downwardly relative to their pintles, and which rise during collapsing movement of the stage, are provided with handle grips pivotally connected with the upper edge of said leg frames, extending through openings in the superposed floor panels and in which recesses are provided in said floor panels adjacent the point of pivotal connection to receive the grip when not in use so as to preserve the flush deck surface of the floor panels.

13. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the rearmost leg frame is provided with forwardly projecting supporting bars adjacent its lower end and spaced but slightly above the ground level, above which the collapsed stage is adapted to be packed, removable ground wheels for the forward end of said bars, and means for detachably connecting said ground wheels to said bars so as to raise the collapsed stage from actual contact with the ground for facilitating transporting the stage.

14. The device as set forth in claim 1 in which the rearmost leg frame is provided with a forwardly projecting supporting bracket frame adjacent its lower end and spaced but slightly above the ground level, above which the collapsed stage is adapted to be packed, removable ground wheels for the forward end of said bracket frame, and means for detachably connecting said ground wheels to said bracket frame so as to raise the collapsed stage from actual contact with the ground to provide a dolly for facilitating transporting the stage, wheels on the rearmost supporting leg frame normally disposed out of contact with the ground, and means for positively lowering said wheels to supplement the detachable wheels at the forward end of the dolly to render the entire assembly wheel supported.

15. The device as set forth in claim 1 wherein means pivotally connecting the remote edge of each of the end panels of said series to the upper edge of a supporting frame, means pivotally connecting pairs: of adjoining edges of adjacent panels to the upper edge of a common supporting frame, the remote edges of said end panels and alternate pairs of adjoining edges being adapted during folding to pivot upwardly with respect to the upper edges of the alternate frames associated therewith, while the upper edges remain substantially in a common horizontal plane, the remaining intervening pairs of adjoining edges being adapted during folding to pivot downwardly with respect to the upper edges of the intervening frames associated therewith, while the intervening frames move bodily upwards, whereby each pair of panels the pivotal adjoining edges of which rise to a peak upon folding, constitutes a stage area of a different level than that of other pairs of similarly connected panels, the levels diminishing in height progressively from rear to front to provide a stepped platform as for use as a bandstand or choral stage, and the vertical supporting leg frames for this purpose comprises sets of frames of successively different heights, the rearmost frame of each lower series however being of the height corresponding to the stage level next rearwardly, and also serving to support a floor panel of said next rearward level, and the adjoining floor section of the lower level being hinged to said leg frame at a point below the upper edge of the latter.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein spring means is connected to each panel adjacent the downwardly pivoting edges thereof and to the leg frame associated with said edge, said spring means urging said panels to folded position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 308,656 Du Bois Dec. 2, 1884 1,142,404 Deming June 8, 1915 1,387,134 Dufek Aug. 9, 1921 1,911,750 Collignon May 30, 1933 2,257,522 Bailey Sept. 30, 1941 2,594,262 Howe Apr. 22, 1952 2,668,331 Horn Feb. 9, 1954 2,699,978 Mugler Jan. 18, 1955 

